UPPER MERION — On Sept. 9, 2012, Branden Thorton and Anthony Bonet were walking to a store on Gulph Road when they were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Bonet walked away from the accident unharmed. Thorton was not so lucky.

He was air-lifted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where, after surgery, he lay in a coma for two weeks. He began therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab at the end of September.

“He literally came back from the dead,” Thorton’s mother, Tammy Howard, said.

Thorton, who lives in King of Prussia, was seven days into his first semester at Montgomery County College, where he wanted to study animation, when the accident happened.

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“He loved school, which anyone who knew Branden would never have thought that he would have said that,” Howard said.

Now he undergoes outpatient therapy three times a week. According to Howard, her son’s movement has been getting better.

“He moves on the stationary bike like he never had a problem with his legs,” Howard said.

Thorton was unable to speak for seven weeks after the accident, although his mother said she believes his speech will eventually return to normal.

“Now it can be kind of hard to hear him, and you have to ask him to speak up sometimes but it has gotten a lot better since the accident,” Howard said.

According to Jeri Tarquinio, a family friend, the biggest problem the family faces is living in a second-floor apartment that is not handicapped accessible.

“They need a bathroom that can be set up for him, and it would be great if someone could spend their time,” Tarquinio said.

Another problem is that their apartment in King of Prussia is carpeted, which makes it hard for him to move with his wheelchair, let alone his walker, Howard said.

The family has put an offer on a house, but because of changes in the bank’s negotiating team, they have had to wait and to submit the paperwork on the house again.

There have been multiple fundraisers for Branden and his family’s attempt to purchase a handicapped-accessible house, as well as van to transport him back and forth from rehab.

A Facebook group more than 4,000 followers called “Branden’s Army” has been supporting the family by keeping them in their prayers and donating money. The family has also set up a Go Get Funding page with a goal of $10,000, which, so far, has raised $483 with 64 backers to the project.

Branden’s Army has followers from all over the country who write on the group wall and say they are praying for him, even though they have never met him or his family.

“People see him as an inspiration and want him to win,” Howard said.

Volunteers who have not met the family before have also donated money and time.

“We’ve had people offer to take my children to school and a massage therapist now comes once a week to help loosen the muscles in Branden’s legs,” Howard said.

Thorton and his mother will also have their first speaking engagement of the dangers of drinking and driving at the New Life Youth Ministry in Philadelphia.

“The pastor wants the younger children to meet the person they’ve been praying for and he wants it to be a lesson for the older kids to think twice before getting into a car after drinking,” Howard said.

The next fundraiser for Branden’s van will take place April 20 from 4 to 6: 30 p.m. at Facenda Whitaker Bowling, 2912 Swede Road, East Norriton.